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NBA: Predicting rookie leaders for each statistical category in 2018-19

By Colin Cann

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Predicting the 2018-19 NBA rookie leaders for every key statistical category

With the 2018 NBA Draft in the review mirror, we explore how each of the key statistical categories will shake out in the 2018-19 NBA season. Which rookies will lead each category?

We begin with points.

Points

(Honorable Mentions: Deandre Ayton, Trae Young, Kevin Knox)

Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings 

Averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds in college is no easy feat. Unsurprising both freshmen to do it went first and second overall in the draft. Both will also have a good chance at leading all rookies in scoring this season.

Although Deandre Ayton will be tasked with a heavy scoring load his first year in Phoenix, he has Devin Booker to ease the burden. Booker is fresh off averaging 24.9 points per game. Including a league-leading 70 point outburst against the Boston Celtics in March. He is entrenched as the first option, for now anyway.

Bagley won’t have the luxury of playing alongside a top 10 scorer. 36-year-old Zach Randolph led the team in scoring and attempts at 14.5 and 12.9, respectively. That figures to change as Bagley will be taking his spot in the starting line-up. He’ll be the go-to guy from day one.

Sharing the frontcourt with a low-usage, defensive-minded center like Willie Caulie-Stein is a perfect match. WCS will allow Bagley to focus on what he does best, scoring. Already armed with a shockingly polished and versatile skillset he may be the best offensive player on the team before playing a game.

He’ll be given every opportunity to succeed, which means a lot of shots. Trae Young will get up plenty of shots for the Hawks as well, but as an undersized guard may have more trouble scoring on NBA defenses.

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